Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Thailand - North Korea Match Report

HANOI : An injury-time goal helped Thailand beat North Korea 1-0 yesterday in Vietnam in their first international game under English coach Peter Reid.

Thailand defender Patiparn Phetphun scored in the second minute of stoppage time at My Dinh Stadium to get their T&T Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Reid conceded the game had been close and had given him plenty to think about.

"We saved some good shots and were lucky to score at the end of the match," said Reid.

"However, there are several things that I am not very pleased about and I needed to do some work on the training ground.

"North Korea are a strong team and I told the players to concentrate and we got the right result."

Thailand started with Issrapong Lilakorn and Teerathep Winothai up front against North Korea's World Cup hopefuls.

Four minutes after kick off, Thai midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao fired a 20-yard free-kick goalwards only to see it fizz wide.

Both teams pressured and defender Chonlatit Jantakam had to be alert to deny Kim Kum Il a scoring opportunity.

North Korea created several chances but the Thai defence held firm.

Kim Kum Il forced a good save from Thai goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa then, at the other end, midfielder Arthit Sunthonphit fired a long shot over the bar.

Striker Teerathep Winothai was booked for a foul before the whistle was blown to end the first half with the game locked at 0-0.

Reid switched Arthit for Nataporn Phanrit and Issarapong for Teerasil Dangda during the interval.

The substitutions made Thailand more lively and it wasn't long before Teerasil and Teerathep both had scoring opportunities only to be denied by the Korean back line.

Kittisak did well to parry a shot from Mun In Guk in the 74th minute before Chonlatit Jantakam cleared it away from danger.

Two minutes later Korea striker Kim Kum Il was sent off for hitting Datsakorn in the chest.

Thailand couldn't break down their opponents and the game seemed destined to end up goalless before Patiparn scored the winner during stoppage time.

North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun said his team's poor preparation contributed to the defeat.

"The condition of the team was not good when they trained two weeks before the tournament started," he said.

"However, I am pleased with the performance."

The president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Mr Worawi Makudi was pleased with the outcome.

"I would say that it is great for Peter Reid to use some new players for this match," he said.

"It is a good for us because we have more choice for the team and it is also a good start for him with a win."

Worawi, , a Fifa executive committee member, also said there is a strong possibility England will play a one-off friendly in Thailand next year because of strong ties with the English Football Association, which were central to Reid's appointment as Thailand boss.